More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)

Test Acts

Series of laws which made it impossible for anyone to hold public office, undertake military service, or receive university education unless professing the established religion of the *Church of England. The best-known Test Act was passed in 1673. It was parliament's response to a measure of tolerance by *Charles II, who by a declaration of indulgence (1672) removed the restrictions embodied in the *Clarendon Code. This Test Act required that anyone entering public service in England must take the sacrament in the Anglican manner. In other contexts the wording of oaths was sufficient to serve the purpose (a Christian oath excluded *Jews, while the requirement to deny the Pope's authority did the same for *Roman Catholics). The various tests and barriers were gradually dismantled during the 19C.